eae ) Bo a. . er > | 


b 


— 


Prepared by 
The Superintendent of the Sind District _ 
Methodist Episcopal Church 
Karachi, India 


Introduction by 


Bishop Brenton Thoburn Badley 
Resident Bishop of the Bombay Area 
Methodist Episcopal Church 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2023 with funding from 
Columbia University Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/glimpsesalongind00thom 


Glimpses Along the Indus 


The Unhappy Valley of Sind 


Prepared by 
The Superintendent of the Sind District 
Methodist Episcopal Church 
Karachi, India 


Introduction by 
Bishop Brenton Thoburn Badley 
Resident Bishop of the Bombay Area 
Methodist Episcopal Church 


Printed in the United States of America 


i 


INTRODUCTORY WORD 


By Bishop BRENTON THOBURN BADLEY, 
Resident Bishop of the Bombay Area 


Our work in the province of Sind, properly supported and 
wisely followed up, is as secure as the future of the province 
itself. Few parts of India are to-day making as rapid progress 
as Sind. The development of Karachi, whose trade already is 
approaching three times the volume of that of Madras, is one of 
the phenomenal things in India. Wisdom prompts the Church 
to tie up to Karachi now, and grow with it into its great future. 
The Sukkur Barrage in upper Sind, whose plans contemplate the 
opening up of several new canals and irrigating eight million 
acres of land now arid, will take thirty years to carry out fully, 
and is the greatest thing of the kind ever undertaken in India. 
Its effect on the development of Sind, which in extent and pos- 
sibilities is capable of supporting a population many times greater 
than it now has, will be one of the factors in the modern India 
that is now taking shape. 

The Rev, G. B. Thompson, who is now in his third year as 
district superintendent of Sind, is a man who has clearly realized 
the possibilities of the situation, and is working not only with 
energy but great practical wisdom in developing plans that may 
be adequate for the present and safeguard the future. His is at 
present the impossible task of trying to do on a total of two 
hundred dollars a month for the entire current work of the prov- 
ince what two or three times this amount should be considered 
the absolute minimum. Even this small income is, in the present 
emergency, contingent upon certain factors that are not assured. 
In no part of the Bombay Area is the work of our Church in 
greater jeopardy on account of the 55 per cent reduction in ap- 
propriations that this Area has suffered since 1924. When to 
this “‘cut’’ we add the 20 per cent further loss through the fall in 
exchange in the dollar as compared with the rupee, we are left 
with only one fourth of the income of 1924 with which to carry 
on our work in the Area. 

In this impossible situation faced by the district superintendent 
of the Sind District, the Resident Bishop of the Area supports 


3 


most heartily and with great solicitude the statement here 
presented by Mr. Thompson for the information of the Church. 
We trust that friends who would like to do something to sup- 
port this strategic enterprise of the Kingdom in India may speed- 
ily be found. If any in America wish to get in touch personally 
with the Resident Bishop of the Area, they can do so during the 
next few months by addressing him at 150 Fifth Avenue, New 
York City. 

It is said of the British general who took Sind in the wars of 
the last century that when he had gained possession he wired 
back the single word, ‘Peccavi’—“I have Sind’ (sinned)! We 
cannot claim to have done this yet, but we do hold the chief 
centers of Sind in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for 
Him we seek to get possession of that entire province. It is for 
this we ask your cooperation. 


PREFACE 
Little Being Done 
This booklet has grown out of a real need. No Christian 
Church working in Sind is in a position to meet the needs as 
they now exist. When future developments are considered along 
with the location of Sind in relation to the countries that sur- 
round her—Arabia and Persia to the West, Afghanistan and 
Baluchistan to the Northwest, and other Provinces of India to 
the North and East, with the immense gateway of the Arabian 
Sea,—one is overwhelmed with the opportunity and at the same 
time the smallness of what is being done to prepare to meet the 
demands of the days that are upon us. 


Estimated Increase of Population 


Within the last 50 years Karachi has increased from 56,000 to 
217,000 inhabitants. At the same rate of increase, the city of 
Karachi will have well beyond 800,000 inhabitants in 1971, the 
end of the 100 year period. Considering the new factors that 
now enter in, it is only natural to believe that Karachi will have 
Over (1,000,000) one million inhabitants in less than so years 
from now, or within the life time of our children. The whole 
of the Province will more than double within that time, if not 
treble or quadruple, making ten to fifteen million souls in Sind. 


Our Responsibility 


The estimates of building costs worked out have been care- 
fully done by the Finance Committee of the Indus River Con- 
ference, Methodist Episcopal Church, with which the Sind Dis- 
trict is officially connected. Furthermore the project has the 
personal backing of the Bishop of the Area, Dr. Brenton Tho- 
burn Badley. We here in India feel that until we have done 
our very best to make the needs known to those who should 
know and help, we stand liable before God and the people of 
Sind. On the other hand we believe there are literally hundreds 
if not thousands who will welcome the opportunity to give once 
they are acquainted with the real facts. Hence this attempt. 
With prayer for the Church everywhere that we all “keep the 
Faith once delivered to the Saints,” 


Iam, Faithfully yours, 
G. B. THompson. 


SUKKUR 


300 Miles to Karachi 


ye - 


4 ee eo  * 
wa 
. 


QYHYDERABAD 


KARACHI” 


Cee 6 


\. L110 Miles to Harachi 


RAILWAYS —--—--: 


fo quod OL <—---~ 


“THE UNHAPPY VALLEY OF SIND” 


or 


“GLIMPSES ALONG THE INDUS” 


The Indus Like the Mississippi River 


The province of Sind is to the Indus River what the States 
of Louisiana and Mississippi are to the “Father of Waters.” For 
500 miles the Indus passes through the heart of Sind and dis- 
tributes a rich deposit of silt gathered from its many sources, 
and thus is continually making the bed of the river higher than 
the outlying valley. A physical map of India will show that 
the larger portion of Sind is less than 600 feet above the level 
of the sea—well worth noting in view of the fact that the world’s 
largest irrigation scheme is being inaugurated at Sukkur, 400 
miles from the river’s mouth. 


Persian Water Wheel. 
7 


Thirsty Sands Watch the Waters Waste 


Heretofore Sind has been reckoned as a part of the vast desert 
region stretching from the heart of Africa to Central India. 


The River Indus. 


It is surrounded by desert to the east and the barren hills of 
Kirthar to the west. Not being in the trade wind belt, its main 
hope lies in the fact that the mighty Indus, from which India 
received her name, courses through what is otherwise well named 
the ‘Unhappy Valley of Sind.’’ However, the Indus has for 
thousands of years been silently gathering the waters from the 
Himalayas as well as the vast plains of the Punjab to the north, 
and without asking any one safely delivering them in the Arabian 
Sea. 


Persian Water-wheels Prove Insufficient 


The inhabitants of the “Unhappy Valley’”’ have been content 
to cultivate mere patches of the low-lying portions where moisture 
was easily secured by means of the famous Persian water-wheels, 
(1) or other such devices. Recently however the modern mind, 
wealth and machinery have been brought to bear and vast por- 
tions of the desert are being converted into fertile fields. 

8 


The Hope of Sind Irrigation 


Whereas at present there are barely three million acres under 
cultivation, the scheme involves the irrigation of twice as many 
more acres. An expenditure of at least $70,000,000 covering a 
period of 30 years will convert a vast desert into a country as 
fertile and productive as the land of the Nile. Crowded popu- 
lations in other regions of India will follow the call to these new 
lands. 


Sind and Bengal Compared 


The extent of the opportunity may be shown by the fact that 
at present Sind, with ah area of 47,000 square miles, has only 
three and one half million people; Bengal, in the eastern part of 
India on the Ganges, has forty-five million people on 87,000 
square miles. That is, Bengal has seven times as many people 
to the square mile as Sind has. 


“Sukkur in Upper Sind” 

We begin at Sukkur. There we are impressed with the high 
cliffs that are seen from the banks of the Indus. The great bridge 
under which we pass connects India with Baluchistan, Afghan- 
istan and Persia, from whence the western conquerors have come 
overland in the centuries gone by. There we see the river Indus 
(2) and the tiny boat in which we are to make our journey to 
Karachi, a distance of over 450 miles, down the Indus to the 
mouth and around the sea to the third port of India. 


Jungle Home of American Engineers. 


9 


American Engineers at Work 


After the long introduction about the Sukkur Barrage we are 
now prepared for the pictures which will show us how the work 


High Tower nearby a Famous Moslem Tomb in Sukkur. 


is progressing. Please notice first the queer little houses (3) built 
for the American Engineers who are helping dig the big canals 
which are to conduct the Indus waters to the vast areas of Sind. 
By climbing up the large high tower (4) near by a famous tomb 
of some Moslem saints, we can actually see the large machines 
(5) at work across the Indus, the portion of the canal (6) already 
dug, and the place where the great dam is to be placed across 
the river. By going near we see there the kind of people (7) who 
do the work of lifting and clearing the way for the machines 
(8) to work. They are really the ones for whom the canals are 
being dug and the ones whom the men of the West have come 
to serve. 


The West Sells to the East 


The British people have established good government over 
the vast areas of India, including Sind; and other nations of the 
West are continually sending their traders to sell sewing ma- 
chines, oil and gas for motors and lamps,:as well as clothing for 

sxe) 


the body and books for the mind. We who have found a priceless 
Treasure in Christ are constrained by the love within us to bring 
the Book of the knowledge of good and evil. In order to do 
this we come as missionaries, preach the Gospel, win others to 
Christ, and they in turn go out and tell the Good News to all 
who will listen. 


Sukkur Headquarters Needed 


There are Christians to-day in all large centers of India. We 
have an ordained Minister at Sukkur. He has about him one 
hundred souls who know something about Christ. They are 
doing what they can to worship God. But as one said to the 
Pastor recently, ‘“Where is your Church? We see the temples 
and mosques of the Hindus and Mohammedans where they 
worship, but where do you worship’ Before we leave Sukkur 
on our journey to Hyderabad, may we not give encouragement 
to the faithful ones at Sukkur, this strategic city center for the 
Gospel of Christ, with its over 50,000 inhabitants, by pledging 
to assist the Sukkur Headquarters with their first Church butld- 
ing, and home for the Pastor. The Finance Committee of the 
Indus River Conference has assisted us in estimating the cost 
for such a plant at $8,000. When we recall that this is the center 


“Bucyrus’” Machines at work excavating canal. 
ia 


for all Upper Sind, where already 1,500,000 people live and where 
many more are soon to come, we shall not hesitate to provide 
the amount called for by the leaders of the work. The kind 


Portion of Canal already dug. 


of building and other. particulars we shall leave to talk of pri- 
vately when we can get together on this matter. 


Sailing Down the Indus 


Let us now get into our sail boat and start on the journey of 
250 miles to Hyderabad, which we shall reach after several days 
of quiet sailing, and during which time we shall behold the beau- 
ties along the Indus. The river, like the Nile, doth here and there 
change its banks. 


Probable Garden of Eden 


The present garden area of Sind is to see to our right in the 
Larkana District. There too we may see Mohenjo, the most 
ancient village of Sind, which is now considered to be as old as 
those of Persia, having had a mature civilization five thousand 
years ago. 


Sehwan Sight Beautiful 
But we must not tarry here at Mohenjo, but pass to Sehwan, 
where the river winds its way through the valley, resembling 
the sight to be seen from the Fort in Shrinagar of the unexcelled 
12 


valley of Kashmir. In order to get the best effect of this view 
let us visit the old Fort of Sehwan high and lifted up, thus com- 


manding the view of 
the whole valley. 
Sehwan is of interest 
to the Moslems whose 
noted Sufi Saint, Lal 
Shahbaz (red falcon), 
lies’ buried in the 
famous, (9) tomb 
known by his name. 
It is visited yearly by 
tens of thousands of 
pilgrims. 


Passing Other Boats 
But lest we delay 
too long in reaching 
our destination, we 
Sra erestm cour 
journey, trusting the 
gales may be favorable 


A Cooly Woman and her baby. 


A Typical Sindhi of the Frontier—known 
as a “Shikarpuri”’ 


for sailing. We pass many 
such boats and some much 
larger, carrying grain, wood 
and other provisions to the 
towns along the way. Now 
we have arrived at Gidu 
Bunder, from whence we 
shall go by tonga, if the 
Missionary does not meet 
us with his Ford Car. I 
think I see him waiting for 
us, hence we shall soon be 
on our way to Hyderabad, 
the ancient capital of Sind. 


Glimpses of Hyderabad 


As our time is short and 
the journey by sea in a sail 
boat is long, let us have a 
run round the city and 


resume our journey. 
Hyderabad has one out- 
standing characteristic 
of its own. As we 
approach the city we 
see on the top of the 
well built brick build- 
ings, many upstanding 
shafts erected (10) for 
the purpose of catching 
the breeze which comes 
from the sea over one 
hundred miles away. 
We also see the Fort 
built by the Amirs of 
Sind (11) centuries ago 
but remaining solid to 
this days Themtagge 
railway station is to ac- 
commodate the people 
who come from railways 
running in five direc- 
tions. (12) Then, as we 
return toward our boat, 
we pass one of the big 
Tomb of Lal Shahbaz, the famous Sufi notes High School buildings 

of Zehawan. (13) which looks like a 
Church from the outside. It was built for a reformed Hindu 
sect which has greatly benefited by the education received from 
the Western people, but who have yet to learn and accept Christ 
as their personal Saviour. It is for this very reason we are com- 
pelled to continue teaching by precept and example all we know 
Christ to mean to us. 


Hyderabad Center, Essential 


On the way to our boat we may see the land which has been 
recently given over to the Methodist Episcopal Mission on which 
to build the first Mission house as a center for our work in this 
great city of nearly 100,000 souls. The Officer in charge has 
believed us when we said that we are planning to assist the many 
Christians who are coming to this region as the Irrigation Scheme 


14 


Shafts on houses in Hyderabad built to catch breeze and ventilate rooms below. 


develops. In the center of a residential community we have 
25 acres of land. Our Finance Committee have estimated the 
cost for the buildings desired at $15,000. They have taken into 


Fort built by Rulers in 18th Century. 
15 


Hyderabad Railway Station. 


consideration the Christian community of 500 persons already 
there, and also the fact that Hyderabad is the second city of 
importance in Sind, being the center for another million and a 
half of people. We simply must erect these buildings for the 
Hyderabadis, for they hold the key to the Leadership of Sind. 


High School Building at Hyderabad, Sind. 
16 


Tatta Visited by Alexander, the Greek 


It will be pleasant sailing down the river from Gidu Bunder 
as we shall see more fertile fields; watch the solitary fishermen 


The Dayaram Jethmal Sind College, a private institution aided by government. 


riding in the midst of the river on top of large inverted vessels 
of pumpkins in order to catch the fish from the great river. We 
shall only make one halt as we pass, that being at Tatta, which 
was really the first port of importance on the Indus. Alexander 
and his satraps halted there in the Fourth Century B. C., when 
he made his famous visit to the Punjab and returned to Greece, 
but not without having left influences which live to this day. 
Tatta, however, has lost its importance now to Karachi, and we 
shall hasten on as we wish to spend some time in this growing city. 


Karachi Nearest Europe 

We must needs pass out the main mouth of the Indus and 
turn to our right where we find Karachi, 50 miles away, surround- 
ing the beautiful and magnificent harbor at Kiamari. There 
ships come from Boston, London and many other ports far and 
near. The fact is Karachi is nearest to Europe, being 200 miles 
nearer than Bombay, and as a port now ranks third in importance 
in India, only Bombay and Calcutta exceeding her in the amounts 
of Imports and Exports handled. 

17 


Methodist Center 5, Garden Road 

We live at 5, Garden Road, five miles away from the Port and 
as the Church car, the famous kind usually used by Mission- 
aries, is available, we shall ride through the city on our way home. 


The American Consulate 

Being Americans you will be interested in passing the Amer- 
ican Consulate (14) where the greatest of courtesy and assistance 
is given to any needing the services of “Uncle Sam’s’”’ Repre- 
sentative in these parts. However, we shall call and see him 
later, as we shall need to get our Passports recorded. 


Sind College 


The building to our left is the D. J. Sind College (15) with an 
enrollment of over 800 students in the Arts and Engineering 
Departments. 


The City 


We go across to the main road of the city from whence we see 
the Meriwether Tower (16) in the far distance along Bunder 


Bunder Road, the Main Street of Karachi, showing several methods of travel 
while an ordinary dust-storm is in progress. 


18 


Road. Just beyond is the street scene (17 A and B) which is 
typical of the city in any day in the year. 


One of Karachi’s crowded streets where the races of men 
pass and trade. 


Indian Christians 

Not far from there live the two Punjabi gentlemen (18) who 
are seen standing on either side of our Indian Pastor, himself a 
Punjabi. He has supervision over nearly 1,000 Christians and is 
really doing a remarkable work for them. They look forward 
to building an Indian Church of their own. They are already 
supporting their Pastor. 


Clifton by the Sea 


From here we drive to Clifton (19) by the Sea, and enjoy the 
view which inspires many a weary toiler who escapes there at 


19 


eventime from the dust and the noise of Karachi and the struggle 
of the 220,000 souls he leaves behind. 


Land Given for School 


On our way out we shall see the site proposed for the erection 
of our main plant in Karachi. It is a site of 20 acres given out- 
right by the city authorities, provided 
we spend $30,000 in erecting the 
Boarding School which our Christian 
parents for many years have been 
yearning for. The Conference au- 
thorities have sanctioned this as the 
first urgent need and will allow us 
a Hatrt of Karathi City to begin building as soon as the first 

any day in the year. $10,000 is in hand. 


School: An Imperative Need 


It is hardly necessary to state more than that there is no well 
organized Methodist school under 600 miles from Karachi, and 
with a growing Christian community of about 2,000 in our own 
care at present, such a school is urgently needed for the training 
of Christian youths in Sind. 


Professor Harrington’s Conviction 


The fact is, excepting the one property (20) belonging to the 
English community of our Church in Karachi, we have as yet 
no real home in Sind. Professor Harrington of the Lucknow 
Christian College was right, when, after visiting the city of 
Karachi recently, he said voluntarily, “The Methodist Episcopal 
Church should look well to taking. advantage of the unusual 
opportunity afforded us here. We may well let other places 
wait, but we shall pay very dearly if we allow this city to develop 
and expand until it will be difficult to secure the kind of place 
we should have here. In my conviction, now is the time to 
enter Karachi. We should have a plant here that will be worthy 
of our Church in years to come.”’ So say all who know the facts. 

20 


Labor and Sacrifice Bring Achievement 


The journey has been somewhat long and difficult at times, 
but worth while because we have seen the making of a new nation, 
as we have been close to the people and the places where that 
nation is being made. What those in olden times thought to 
be the ‘‘Unhappy Valley of Sind,” we who believe God and 
have faith in the possibilities of the people of this great Province, 
know to be man’s day of redemption from sin and wrong in a 
land where labor and sacrifice bring achievement. 


The Effect of the “Cut” on Work in Sind 


All fields of Mission work have suffered much of late because 
of decreased gifts for their up-keep. Sind has suffered more 
than most places. The whole of its gifts, less ten per cent, have 
heretofore been received from one Donor. For reasons which 
he could not control all his gifts ceased with the end of 1925. 
Hence the whole of the evangelistic work, including five Ordained 
Preachers and fifteen other workers, has been seriously affected. 
Five hundred Christian children will be without religious teach- 
ing from a qualified source unless relief is given shortly. 


A 


An Indian Pastor and two of his Laymen of Karachi. 


22 


Clifton, Karachi’s Famous.Seaside Drive and Promenade. 


I ncouragement to Go Forward 


The following statement shows pledges that have been made 
and amount yet needed to carry on necessary work in Sind dur- 
ing 1926: 


The Board of Foreign 

VLSSIONS Sean $700 equal 17.5% of budget 
The Indian Church 

through Pastors... 1,100 equal 27.5% of budget 
Friends whose names 

are withheld...... 600 equal 15.0% of budget 
Urgently needed for 

work and unpro- 

vided for in 1926.. 1,600 equal 40.0% of budget 


PLEDGED 


Total ics sence $4,000 equal 100.0% 


Anyone who could have seen the spirit and loyalty shown by 
the Indian Preachers in Charge in facing the debt due the people 
of India, would not hold back any funds available for the work 
of the Lord. We on the field are conscious of doing our best 
to carry the work forward for the glory of the Master whom we 
serve. We are praying that those who love the same Christ 

22 


in America, and have money belonging to Him may be willing, 
having seen the need in India, to ‘“‘open their treasures and pre- 
sent unto Him gold and frankincense and myrrh.” 


America Will Not Fail India 


America will not fail India because India loves Christ. If 
any one fact is more encouraging in India to-day than any other, 
it is, India has turned to Christ. Christ has the love of India, 
and it cannot be long until He will claim outward loyalty and 
devotion of this great mystic people in increasing numbers. In 
the consciousness of this fact we go forward encouraged that 
the Church at Home, knowing this, will bring their gifts and 
lay at the feet of the Master for His service. 


A Final Question 


Nothing succeeds like success. Nothing helps to success like 
understanding. India is a long way from America. But India is 
concrete and real when truly seen. The Superintendent of the 
Sind District will write to any one who will write to him about 
the work in Sind. He will give the best kind of information 
available to persons interested in supporting a Pastor, Teacher, 


ae oS] 
West View of the Methodist Episcopal Church Building of Karachi, 
23 


Bible woman, Colporteur or student. The cost for each for 
one year is $300, $200, $100, $150 and $50 respectively. Simply 
write and let us know what you are willing to give for God's 
work in Sind, and a reply will be sent on receipt of each gift or 
inquiry. 


Summary of Needs in order of Urgency are as follows: 


Le) Current: work 102 Oc oie eae eer ee $1,600 
“A ROE here xc ere eee Gaia Aa a2 5,000 

ome Karachitochoo! Planter wee. eee 30,000 
a. Hyderabad Central Plant (ir. mtn eter 2 eee 15,000 
peeoukkur Churchjand | Centenie. a eaee caus ere 8,000 
s. District Motor and Up-keep, one year........ 2,000 
$61,600 


All of the above items have been sanctioned by the Committee 
on the field as essential. They represent needs which, when met, 
will bring large dividends to the Kingdom of Christ. 


24 


